Hot Spots in Aus - Part One

We were up at 4.40am so that we could check the baggage straight through to Brisbane. Our intention was to have a good breakfast in the Koru Club in Auckland, but time was short, and so breakfast was small. This was a bit of a miscalculation as for the first time we had chosen seat and bag ticket on the plane - so no meal or movies for us.
After a long delay to get our rental car in Brisbane we were ravenous, but since this car had 17km on the clock - ie brand new, - we decided to drive straight to Noosa rather than try any tricky manouevres to get on and off the motorway.
The motel is adequate but with a few design flaws!!

The long white box is the light. If you want to read while on the bed you get a very well illuminated shoulder.

After a walk, a drive, lunch, a visit to the supermarket, and a nap we head over to the bar to the first get-together of Alan Marino's 70th birthday. Lots of old Gisborne acquaintances and relatives of Alan.
Given the 3 hour time difference, by 6.40pm we have been on the go for 17hours, and we are fading fast. After a bar meal we turn in for the night.

Saturday 30th March.
Duncan heads out for a run first thing, and then we drive to Noosa Heads before looping around to the Eumundi Markets. I was surprised that Duncan wanted to go to the markets, given his usual lack of enthusiasm about shopping. When he sees the $6 parking fee and the hoards of cars and people, not to mention the onset of a shower of rain he is more than happy to push onto Yandina.

Noosa Heads looking North

Noosa Heads looking South

 We have morning tea at Yandina. Each table has a bowl of knitting on it and you are encouraged to complete a few rows. When the owner has enough strips, a friend sews them up and they usually have about half a dozen to give to the "Vinnies" to distribute to the needy.

Doing my bit.

 Next stop is the Macadamia Nutworks shop. The factory is not working, but you can see in the windows to the machines. (It is a weekend).

Duncan is checking out the Macadamia Meusli, but find out that it is $27 a bag!!!

 Across the road is the ginger factory. We try the beer - yes it is about 4.5% alcohol - and think what a great match for Asian food it would be.

The smile of approval

The small train trip has a good commentary

We wave as we go past.

Historic remnants litter this corner of the grounds.

 We travel to Coolum for lunch. The heavy warm rain starts. We head back to the motel for a nap between the long and loud thunder rumbles.
The party starts at 5pm at the hotel we are staying at. It has a Hawaiian theme.

Are we getting better at selfies??

Alan is very humbled by all that made the trip.

His daughter was a a hilarious MC. His "picture parade" started with a picture of Alan at about 1 year with a homemade nappy which looked like a loin cloth!

I said a few words on behalf of other friends that couldn't make it, but who had given me a card to bring over 

 Christine, who is manager of Ronald MacDonald house was pretty exhausted as she had been coping with the arrival of many Jordanian Muslims to visit the little girl brought up from the Christchurch terror attack. It did cause some friction with the parents/family of other seriously ill children, but Chrissie is always a great peacemaker, and calming influence.
Duncan said a few words about the Marathon running days too. Then Alan started to wander around the tables serenading us.

A great night was had by all.